Not new to tea, but new to tea chat. I've been reading for a while, and finally signed up so I could participate. I've already voted in the poll!
About me: I manage a modern, asian-style tea house in Pasadena, CA. In my cup right now, peach black tea that we are sampling at the store today. But this morning, at home, fukamushi-cha! Yummy. I am learning the ins and outs of gongfu style brewing, and will be experimenting with gaiwans next. I need to buy one first! My husband came home from a trip to Tucson with a treasure trove of goodies from Seven Cups, so I want to do them justice and brew them properly. I'm excited to be a part of such a thriving communitea!

Question- is there a spell checker for the posts? I try to type like a grown-up, but sometimes I miss something...

My biggest problem when I shop for teaware...and teas too I guess...there are so many choices. I get into an analysis paralysis mode and usually buy nothing. I have been wanting to get a gaiwan or 2...or 3 since I joined this forum...almost 2 years now...oy. This forum definately reminds me of all the stuff I want.

Good news though. I am finalizing an order for a gyokuro set from a vendor in Japan...really excited about this!!!!

Come 'n Sal, check your spellin first...it is TeaFridge...googles lead back to me. My only claim to fame???

Anyway...the TeaFridge was "inherited" from my parents...though admittedly, using it was definately my ulterior motive from the beginning. One thing I did not have to think about. Where to plug it in...that took me months to decide.

andy825 wrote:Chip,
Where are you getting your gyokuro set from? If you don't mind sharing your source, that is.
I am wanting one of those, too, since I saw a picture in a book.

I am likely getting this one from Maiko. It is only on their ebay site, but if you buy it from their actual site instead of ebay, you save some money. I am getting the pot, yasamushi, and 2 cups...it will be less than the 49 bucks listed for the whole set, but shipping will be close to 20 bucks I bet. I will hopefully get info back from the vendor today. Including capacity which I know will be very low. I am hoping for close to 100 ml.My cool gyokuro set

I am also likely getting this set. It is used for making "drop gyokuro tea" ...kind of a new fad. I have been looking for an actual set for a while. It can be made w/o it...but I want it. To make this, you use a lot of leaf and very little water. The tea almost comes out in drops. And yes...it is a virtual Japanese version of a Gaiwan. Susuricha set